Formation

The Tsunami that struck the coasts of South India affected the couple Paramesvaran and Choodamani of Nagapattinam very badly. They lost all their three children and seven of their close relatives in the Tsunami. They also lost property damage of around Rs. 4,00,000. The Lord visited them in a special way and gave them consolation through the Scripture, "Christ in you, the hope of glory" – Colossians 1:27. They decided to share this consolation with the affected people.

Paramesvaran is working with the ONGC and Choodamani with the LIC. For the past 10 years, they have been supporting 14 children from Samanthanpettai for their studies and clothing. Now they wanted to do it in a wider way. They remembered the Word of God which came forcefully to them from Colossians 1:27, Christ in you, the hope of glory”. As led of the Lord, they formed the title of this ministry on 10th February 2005.

This also went in line with the view a dear family friend in Christ from Switzerland. She has real concern and has been involving with us in the ministry among the fishermen community of Samanthanpettai. She got the conviction to name this kind of work with only one strong, single word: Hope! Because, after all the tragedy that happened, it is exactly hope which people need. In Tamil, the word “NAMBIKKAI” means “HOPE”. If we divide the word, “Nambi” itself means faith, and “kai” means the hand. While talking to one another, we arrived at the final idea: “Nambikkai” - “Hands of hope”. On 9th February in the presence of Father Berkmans and Bro. Ezekiah Francis, for the glory of God, we formed “Nambikkai”. Both these men of God came to Nagapattinam to share God’s Word in a public meeting for the Tsunami affected people.

The Nambikkai Consultation

On 21st May 2005, the "Nambikkai" was inaugurated officially with the help of the ‘Friends of Nambikkai’. Around 30 people gathered in the house of Mr. Paramesvaran. They came from Tuticorin, Trichy, Vellore, Chennai, Madurai, Mumbai and Cochin. The program was led by Mr. P.Jebaraj. Mr. Barnabas from Chennai led the worship in a lively way. Pastor Simon Bailey from the New Life Fellowship, Mumbai, shared the word of God in the morning from 2 Cor. 1:4,5. Mr. Paramesvaran and his wife Choodamani shared the Vision of the Lord to form ‘Nambikkai’. This was followed by a time of discussion on the Mission of Nambikkai. The following decisions emerged from this Consultation:

• To continue to take care of the children from Samanthanpettai who were supported by Paramesvarans in the past.
• To start ‘Day Care Centers’ in the villages around Nagapattinam, to help the children affected by the Tsunami.
• To cooperate with other organisations to facilitate long term relief work in the Tsunami affected areas.

This was followed by a session of prayer. In the afternoon, Evangelist Sadhu Chellappa gave the message of God. He made the dedication prayer for Paramesvaran – Choodamani for the ministry of ‘Nambikkai’. The Consultation came to an end with this dedication. All who gathered felt God’s presence in the whole day.


Visits of the children of God

After Tsunami, men and women of God poured in to the home of Paramesvarans to share with their sorrow and to know the way the Lord has kept them in his comfort. Many many great Servants of God visited them.

Important Meetings

Mr. Bill Clinton
On 27th May 2005 former President of USA, Mr. Bill Clinton visited the Tsunami affected areas in India. Paramesvaran and Choodamani are the two among the four selected by the NGOs Coordinating Committee representing "Nambikkai " to meet with Bill Clinton on his visit to Nagapattinam. Clinton told the press, ‘I would never forget the story of the couple - K. Paramesvaran and Choodamani - who lost all the three children and seven of the family members; in spite of this, the couple with courage look after the orphan children; this impressed me’. It was reported in the newspapers like Times of India, Hindu, Indian Express, etc……………………!

This also led to the accusation by some religious leaders that Clinton came to India to spread Christianity. Their main accusation is why Clinton chose to visit Paramesvaran instead of other people and agencies working for relief. Paramesvaran clearly spelt out that he is not converting anybody. He shares the consolation with the people. If they ask how he is able to do this, he says, it is because of Jesus. The accusations and the reply of Paramesvaran appeared in the "Junior Vikatan".

Mr. Franklin Graham

On 14th June 2005, Mr. Franklin Graham, son of Dr. Billy Graham with his daughter visited India. During this visit, Paramesvarans were invited and had a meaningful time with them at Chennai.